The amateur league was founded on December 15, 2011, as an initiative by Russian President Vladimir Putin and former Russian hockey players. The league is supported by the Russian Ministry of Sport and the Russian Ice Hockey Federation.

In May, Putin hit the ice for a Night Hockey League festival held in Sochi. He played alongside several hockey legends including Fetisov, Alexei Kasatonov, and Valeri Kamensky.

The Night Hockey League, Russia’s amateur ice hockey championship, is a leading grassroots sports organization. The Night Hockey League, styled as an All-Russia festival of ice hockey for amateur teams, is supported by the Russian Ministry of Sport and the Russian Ice Hockey Federation. 823 teams from 68 Russian regions participated in the competition in the 2016-17 season. 142 teams, including six women’s teams, took part in the finals in Sochi. Novorossiysk Commercial Sea Port Group is an official sponsor of the league.